Repotting/Dividing Multigrowth - The Slipper Orchid Forum - The First Paph and Phrag Discussion Forum

uscgradstudent · April 13th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Hey everybody! Really need some advice here. I own two paphs, both are multigrowth, and both need repotting. I've never repotted a paph before.

The first one has 8 growths, with two new growths on the front and one on the back. I haven't looked at the root system yet, but as you can see in the photos below, the new growths aren't getting the light they need because the mature leaves are dense. Plus I onlt have window light available, so the growth on the back is really starting to look funky. Any advice on dividing it? Right now it's in a fir bark mix.

Front:

Back:

And here's the second one. It has 6 growths, 3 are mature, one is almost mature, and 2 are new. This one seems borderline for dividing. Again, any advice? It's in sphagnum moss.

Also, both of these are in 4-inch pots. If I divide them, should I put the divisions in 3-inch pots? And either way I think I'm going to change both to a CHC mix.

Thanks so much!

orchidlover · April 13th, 2008, 07:44 PM

Hi Chris and welcome to the slipper orchid forum! Your plants look way too young to be divided and I would much rather wait until they are more mature with a lot more growths and roots.

Paphi · April 13th, 2008, 08:07 PM

Justin · April 13th, 2008, 09:11 PM

I agree..much too soon to divide either of these. Maybe in a couple years. For now just repot them into a porous mix and water twice a week.

a couple weeks after repotting, try to give them some more light if possible. can you hang a compact fluorescent bulb over them in addition to the light from the window?

uscgradstudent · April 13th, 2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the advice. Can't install a flourescent, so I guess I'll just have to accept that the back side of it won't get fantastic light. The mottled leaf one has spans of 10-12" and the plain one has a span of 14" but I guess that isn't as big as I thought!

As far as repotting, I think I'm going to use slotted clear pots, same size (4") as they're in right now. I'm debating between two mix choices: http://www.repotme.com/orchid-mix/De...rchid-Mix.html or http://www.repotme.com/orchid-mix/Pa...rchid-Mix.html . (I don't have enough paphs to justify making my own mix.)

I live in Los Angeles, so the climate is fairly dry, but the orchids are also indoors. Leaning toward the "dendrobium" mix, actually, but I'm curious to know what other people think. I usually water once a week.

Carl Straub · April 13th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Hi,
I live in So. Cal. as well. Have repotted all Paph, Phrag, and Phal plants (others as well) in S-H. The seem to love this arrangement.
Lot's of S-H info about.
Carl

Roy · April 14th, 2008, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidlover

Hi Chris and welcome to the slipper orchid forum! Your plants look way too young to be divided and I would much rather wait until they are more mature with a lot more growths and roots.

Chris, I agree with the above statement PLUS, looking at the way your plants are growing, I would be very reluctant to change what you are doing now. The plants look to be in excellent condition and THE BIGGEST MISTAKE anyone can make is change from what you are having success with. If it all goes wrong you are back trying to revive or save your plants, not enjoying the flowers. Use the same mix they are in and put them into a larger pot, nothing else.

uscgradstudent · April 14th, 2008, 04:01 AM

Well, I've only had them for three months now- managed to get each of them for $15. So I can't take credit for their growth habits. But, they do seem to be doing well right now and have kept growing in their new environment.

My main concern is with overwatering the one planted in sphag. I've not had luck with orchids planted that way in the past, so I'm quite reluctant to keep it in the same medium unless people think it will really react adversely to a change.

I've been doing some research into semihydroponic now based on the comment above. Weighing primeagra and charcoal, with Dyna-gro KLN root stimulator to help make the transition easier... I really like the idea of being able to see the water/moisture level.

Just checked the primeagra site though, and it doesn't look like they're shipping anything new for anywhere up to two weeks. Kinda want to do whatever I wind up doing before summer hits.

Much to think on.

fairorchids · April 14th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Chris,

While I agree with previous comments about division, on occasion you will find that Paphs simply divide themselves when you repot them. In many cases the two sides of the plant grow away from each other, and the center weakens (or disappears alltogether). As long as each side has healthy roots, just accept this.

Either way, don't overpot in terms of size. Provided that you can provide regular watering, Paphs tend to do better when slightly under-potted.

Kim

carrilloenglish · April 14th, 2008, 07:58 PM

I was just going to post a message similar to Kim's. Paphs have a tendency to divide themselves. When you repot, sometimes the plant splits on its own.

I wouldn't divide either of your plants yet. They are just starting to get going.

Christian

April 13th, 2008, 01:26 PM	#1
uscgradstudent Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 29 Posts: 23 First Name: Chris Favorite Slipper Orchid: Paph. Leeanum Favorite Non Slipper Orchid: Encyclia / Prosthechea Cochleata	Repotting/Dividing Multigrowth Hey everybody! Really need some advice here. I own two paphs, both are multigrowth, and both need repotting. I've never repotted a paph before. The first one has 8 growths, with two new growths on the front and one on the back. I haven't looked at the root system yet, but as you can see in the photos below, the new growths aren't getting the light they need because the mature leaves are dense. Plus I onlt have window light available, so the growth on the back is really starting to look funky. Any advice on dividing it? Right now it's in a fir bark mix. Front: Back: And here's the second one. It has 6 growths, 3 are mature, one is almost mature, and 2 are new. This one seems borderline for dividing. Again, any advice? It's in sphagnum moss. Also, both of these are in 4-inch pots. If I divide them, should I put the divisions in 3-inch pots? And either way I think I'm going to change both to a CHC mix. Thanks so much! The Scent of Scandal: Greed, Betrayal, and the World's Most Beautiful Orchid (Florida History and Culture)

April 13th, 2008, 07:44 PM	#2
orchidlover Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: LA Age: 45 Posts: 8,609 First Name: Nancy Favorite Slipper Orchid: Paph. stonei Favorite Non Slipper Orchid: Encyclia cordigera	Hi Chris and welcome to the slipper orchid forum! Your plants look way too young to be divided and I would much rather wait until they are more mature with a lot more growths and roots. __________________ Yes, I'm addicted to SOF!

April 13th, 2008, 11:21 PM	#6
Carl Straub Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So. Calif Posts: 21 First Name: Carl Favorite Slipper Orchid: paph gratrixianum	re-pot Hi, I live in So. Cal. as well. Have repotted all Paph, Phrag, and Phal plants (others as well) in S-H. The seem to love this arrangement. Lot's of S-H info about. Carl

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April 13th, 2008, 08:07 PM	#3
Paphi Diamond Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 9,852

April 13th, 2008, 09:11 PM	#4
Justin Diamond Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,623 First Name: Justin Favorite Slipper Orchid: Paph. rothschildianum	I agree..much too soon to divide either of these. Maybe in a couple years. For now just repot them into a porous mix and water twice a week. a couple weeks after repotting, try to give them some more light if possible. can you hang a compact fluorescent bulb over them in addition to the light from the window?

April 13th, 2008, 10:07 PM	#5
uscgradstudent Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 29 Posts: 23 First Name: Chris Favorite Slipper Orchid: Paph. Leeanum Favorite Non Slipper Orchid: Encyclia / Prosthechea Cochleata	Thanks for the advice. Can't install a flourescent, so I guess I'll just have to accept that the back side of it won't get fantastic light. The mottled leaf one has spans of 10-12" and the plain one has a span of 14" but I guess that isn't as big as I thought! As far as repotting, I think I'm going to use slotted clear pots, same size (4") as they're in right now. I'm debating between two mix choices: http://www.repotme.com/orchid-mix/De...rchid-Mix.html or http://www.repotme.com/orchid-mix/Pa...rchid-Mix.html . (I don't have enough paphs to justify making my own mix.) I live in Los Angeles, so the climate is fairly dry, but the orchids are also indoors. Leaning toward the "dendrobium" mix, actually, but I'm curious to know what other people think. I usually water once a week.

April 14th, 2008, 04:01 AM	#8
uscgradstudent Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 29 Posts: 23 First Name: Chris Favorite Slipper Orchid: Paph. Leeanum Favorite Non Slipper Orchid: Encyclia / Prosthechea Cochleata	Well, I've only had them for three months now- managed to get each of them for $15. So I can't take credit for their growth habits. But, they do seem to be doing well right now and have kept growing in their new environment. My main concern is with overwatering the one planted in sphag. I've not had luck with orchids planted that way in the past, so I'm quite reluctant to keep it in the same medium unless people think it will really react adversely to a change. I've been doing some research into semihydroponic now based on the comment above. Weighing primeagra and charcoal, with Dyna-gro KLN root stimulator to help make the transition easier... I really like the idea of being able to see the water/moisture level. Just checked the primeagra site though, and it doesn't look like they're shipping anything new for anywhere up to two weeks. Kinda want to do whatever I wind up doing before summer hits. Much to think on.

April 14th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#9
fairorchids Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maplewood, NJ Age: 59 Posts: 391 First Name: Kim Interests: Orchids, gardening & wife Favorite Slipper Orchid: fairrieanum Favorite Non Slipper Orchid: neofinetia falcata	Chris, While I agree with previous comments about division, on occasion you will find that Paphs simply divide themselves when you repot them. In many cases the two sides of the plant grow away from each other, and the center weakens (or disappears alltogether). As long as each side has healthy roots, just accept this. Either way, don't overpot in terms of size. Provided that you can provide regular watering, Paphs tend to do better when slightly under-potted. Kim

April 14th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#10
carrilloenglish Titanium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central, NJ Age: 36 Posts: 1,564 First Name: Christian Interests: orchids (especially paphs and masdies), classical music, reading	I was just going to post a message similar to Kim's. Paphs have a tendency to divide themselves. When you repot, sometimes the plant splits on its own. I wouldn't divide either of your plants yet. They are just starting to get going. Christian

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